Loch Ness is Britain's largest body of fresh water, holding more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. Its rugged hills climb steeply from the loch's dark, bitterly cold 330m-deep waters. However, most visitors here are interested in one thing: Nessie-spotting. See if you can see the famous long-necked beastie for yourself.

The A82 running along the western side of the loch is choked with buses and hire-car traffic in summer, while on the southeastern shore the more tranquil, picturesque B862 is quiet (and agonisingly slow) year-round. A complete circuit of the loch covers about 113km (70mi) - travel anticlockwise for the best views.